Pipe joint



May 19, 1931. es THOMAS 1,805,962

PIPE JOINT Filed Dec. 31, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 19, 1931. F. M s. THOMAS PIPE JOINT Filed Dec 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 after described and 35 Fig. 4 is a detail Patented May '19 1931 FRANK MOS. THOMAS, OF EASTON, .PENNSYLVANIA PIPE JOINT Application filed December 31, 1927; Serial No. 245,931.

This invention relates to improvements inpipe joints.

An object of the invention is to join sec-. tions of pipe or fittings in an improved man- 5 ner so that the cost of the diminished, and the durability and eiiectiveness increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide a joint of novel construction which is capable of great flexibility so as to permit the line of pipe to be laid in other than a straight line.

A further object attained by the novel structure embodying the present invention is to render the pipe line immune to damage by settling or distortion subsequent to its installation.

Another object is thereduction of the labor of installation of the pipe line.

'Other objects will appear hereinafter from the specification and claims and from the drawings.

The invention consists in the features, combination, and arrangement of'parts hereinparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In. the drawings: Figure 1 1s a sectional view of a portion of the bell and pipe with. the gland'and its bolts therebetween. a

Q Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the bell. and pipe and the intermediate gland wlth 1ts hook bolts.

Fig. 3- is a top plan view of the gland.

view of the gland with its socket construction for receiving the hook bolt shown in dotted lines.

n Fig. '5 is a sectional view of the' gland on line A-A of Fig. 3. v I 6 and 7 are views of the hook bolt.

gland.

bolt.

Referring to the drawings:

e joint consists of a bell or socket membe! A having a .recess B for receiving the pipe E, a recess G for receiving the ackinlg L and a recess D for receivin the lts Into the socket member or stu g box A pipe line will be flange ened by wrenching the landinto the bell, the hooked end Rfof each 8 is a bottom plan view of part of the Fig. 9 is a perspective view oftlie hook inserted the end of pipe E, as shown in Fig. 1. Pacln'ng L is then inserted into space 0 and a ring or segments F may be used to cover the packing. The use of such ring or segments F is-preferred, though optional, for providing a better mechanlcal arrangement.

The gland N is of ring form and is adapted to bear upon the ring or segments F or upon the packing L, in case the ring or segments are omitted. The land is provided with apertures O forming eyways K therein at spaced intervals about its periphery, for the reception of L shaped bolts J which are adapted to hold the gland to the bell A. When in final position these bolts are turned radiall outwardso that they engage the of the-bell in the groove D. The opening 0 is curved down to point 0 (Fig. 4) from which point it'is square forming keyway K, the reduction from rounded to square back being gradual. v

Before inserting the gland the. bolts are assembled in the gland in the manner shown at G, that is, with their bent or hooked ends R in a ta ential position. The bolt then lies in the ieyway K which keyway is interrupted at H-permitting the hooked end B of the bolt to occupy the tangential positionshown, h'ooked under the wall portion H of the gland N I 1 After the insertion of the gland N, the bolts are rotated by wrenching the nuts 5 or in any suitable way until the hooked ends assume a radial position, and lie in the groove D. The extent of rotation of the bolt 35 is determined by the portion I of the gland adjacent the keywa e Then as the bolts' of the gland are tight-. nuts .S to draw the 0112' passes the space H to further enter the keyway K, and thereafter the'boltgcannot be rotated in either direction out of engagement' with the groove D, until the'hooked end of the bolt again comes opposite to'the space H upon loosening o the nut and bolt.

' The hookedendR of the bolt upon entering the keywa'y is guided and constrained by the walls of the keyway and therefore cannot rom tate. i

as shown,

The shape of the bolts and of the keyways, is such that the bolts are capable of a partial rotation before entry of the hooked ends into the keyways but rotation is prevented upon full entry into the keyway.

As shown in Fig. 7, the cylindrical shank T of the bolt gradually changes to generally square shape except for two rounded corners U and V. This shape permits the rotation of the bolts and also the locking in the keyway. The bolts are prevented from leaving the keyway by their contact with the gland N. The bolt has corners Q, and \V. Theseare not necessary for the proper operation of the locking of the bolt provided that the fits between the bolt and keyway and between the keyway in turning is bolt and bell and its socket are very neat. However, it is intended that neither thebell nor the gland be finished by machining. and consequently the fits will be necessarily somewhat loose. Therefore to aid in the better securing of the bolt in the key'ways the corners Q and IV are provided. In order the bolt having these corners, it is necessary that the bolt rise in the keyway in making a 90? turn. To permit the rise or move outwardly there must be suificient space between the shank of the bolt and the interior of the flange X ot the bell. Whether the shank rises above the determined by the depth of the keyway. In the embodiment shown in order for the bolt to turn, the corner Q, rises slightly above the keyway walls. This rise is permitted by the loose fit of the shank in the circular hole at the top of the gland, the flange X of the bell being at least this distance from the tops of the keyway.

The corner W prevents a tendency for the bolt to crawl out of the keyway and prevents the'bolt from making a to properly operate induced by using a wrench on a tight nut. The corner Q plays a like part when the nut is loosened. The bolt when in tangential'position with its hook occupying the space H. projects below the gland. With all the bolts in tangential position the gland is inserted in the bell so that the bottoms of the hooks rest against the packing, or the ring which may be used on top of the packing. In this position the hooks are opposite the groove D. All the bolts are then rotated approxin'iatcly 90 into the groove D. \Vith the bolts in this radial position the gland may be pusheddown into contact with the packing or ,packing ring, thus securing an immediate lock on the bolts prior to wrenching the nuts. The amount of this initial locking is about one-half of the hook depth.

The gland N is tapered on its interior as shown at M in Fig. 5.

Diametrical clearance W between the bell and the abutting pipe is provided in recess rotation of more than 90, even when subjected to great torque B, as shown-in Fig. 1, so that the pipe may deflect; its angular motion being about a center located in the packing L and along some line P.

This flexible condition is important in maintaining tightness under deflection or vibration. In laying a line of pipe underground, for example, the line may first be assembled on the surface of the ground, the joints tightened and the whole line of flexibly connected pipe then rolled or lowered into the trench the novel construction maintaining tightness of joint under these conditions.

To remove the gland, the nuts may be loosened sufficiently to permit the bolts to move in the keyway relative to the gland until they can be turned with their hooks in the tangential position shown in Fig. i whereupon the gland with the bolts therein may be removed. It will also be apparent that in disconnecting the joint, the nuts may first be entirely removed and the gland then withdrawn leaving the bolts in place, and after ward removing the bolts.

The construction of this joint lends itself to ease of casting in the usual manner and without change in present methods. A distinct advantage is that no lugs are required and also protection of the gland and bolts against injury or corrosion is provided by their location within the bell. The number of bolts used may be increased or dimi shed according to the different pressures or other requirements.

In this design the number of parts is ree duced and the parts are so arrangedthat the A gland and its bolts can be assembled independently of the pipe or stuifing box and afterwards inserted into the bell and over the abutting pipe.

The packing L, which is inserted in the bell prior to the insertion of the gland, and which the gland is adapted to bear upon and compress may be of any suitable material, but is preferably other against the pull of the bolts.

ternal surface of the bell or socket.

As illustrated in the drawing at 10, the

. extreme outer end of the bolt is provided with a kerf for receiving ascrew driver by which the bolt may be turned so that the lateral projection on the inner end of the bolt may be turned from a tangential to a radial osition. If the nut the wrenching of the nut in the proper dielastic and of sufiicient depth .so that it will yield or give flexibly without If they f' are not joined they are supported by the infits tightly upon the olt,

rection to draw upon the bolt will, at the same time, turn the bolt to move its projection from a tangential to a radial position. If the nut should fit loosely upon the bolt so-that it could be turned upon the bolt without thereby turning the latter, the bolt, in such case, can be turned by using a screw driver in the kerf 10 and the lateral projection, therefore, can be set in radial position, after which the turning of the nut will drawthe bolt axially into place.

I claim: 7

1. A flexible pipe joint comprising a bell, an abutting pipe within said bell, ring-shaped packing between said pipe and bell, said packing formin the sole contacting connection between 's'ai pipe and bell and spacin them. apart so that they may be misaligned exibly about the packing as a pivot, a ring-shaped gland between the pipe. and bell extending within the mouth of the bell and spaced from the pipe and bearing on said packing, and

means slidably and rotatably associated with a said thereof.

gland for engaging the bell internally 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said bell is flared and is provided internally thereof with an outer groove of largest diameter for receiving the said means, an intermediate groove of intermediate diameter forming a seat for said packing, and an inner groove of smallest diameter for receiving the end of said pipe.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in WhlCh said means comprises bolts each of which has a shank, a portion of which'is of enerally square cross-section, but with two diagonally opposite edges rounded.

4. A pipe joint comprising a bell having an inwardly extending flange, an abutting pipe in said bell, a gland of general ring form surrounding said pipe and interposed 'between said .pipe and bell, bolts extending within the mouth of the bell and mounted for axial movement in said gland, said bolts 'having lateral projections and being adapted '-to be turned either with their lateral projecs tion to enga e and means or preventing axlalmovement -ti0ns in radialor tangential position relative to said gland, and means for preventing turn ing of said bolts when they are moved axially with their lateral projections in radial posibeneath theflange of the bell,

of said bolts on said glandwhen the lateral projections are moved to tangential position.

'5. A pi e'joint, comprising a bell having an inwar y extending flange, anrabutting pipe in said bell, a'gland ofgeneral ring, form a surrounding said pipe and interposed between said pipe and bell,-said gland having an outwardl extending flange at its top and having bolt oles therethroughiat spaced in-g:

tervals about its periphery, said gland having gland and its anchor means in place in the grooved .keyways therein disposed below the bolt holes and in axial communicating alinethe tangential recesses disposed one adjacent lower'end of each keyway and in tangential rotated with the hook in tangential positionin the recess beneath the shortened wall.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which said holes are circular and the keyways square, there being a gradual merger therebetween.

an inwardly extending flange, an abutting pipe in said bell, a gland of general ring form surrounding said pipe and interposed between said pi'pe and bell, said gland having bolt-receiving keyways disposed at spaced intervals about its periphery, said gland having. recesses disposed one adjacent one side saidboltholes-and key- 7. A pipe jointXronaprising a bell having I of the lower end of each keyway and in tangential communicationtherewith, hook bolts slidably and rotatablym'ounted in said keyways and each being of a length to be slid axially with its hook adjacent the'tangential recess and rotated into tangential position in said recess. J

-'8. A pipe joint comprising a bell having an inwardly extending flange, an abutting P P in said bell, a gland of'general ring form 4 surrounding said pipe and interposed between said pipe and bell, said gland having bolt-receiving keyways'therein at spaced intervals about its periphery, saidkeyways being square in cross-section, said gland having one side of the communication therewith, hook bolts in said keyways' having shank portions of general square cross-section but with two diagonally oppositeedges rounded and being of a length to be slid axiallywith its hook adjacent the tangential recess and rotated into tangential position 'in said recess, said square corners of the bolts cooperating with the square walls of the keyways to provide means for limiting the rotary movement of thebolt in both directionsto locate the hooks in either tangential or radial position relative to said gland.

9. A pipe'joint com rising a bell having an inwardly extending'f n e, an abutting ipe in said bell, a gland 0 general ring orm surroundingsaid pipe and interposed between said pipe and bell, anchor means, carried by said gland adapted to, engage beneath the inwardly extending flange internally of the bell, and means whereby said gland may be inserted-and removed from opwithout removal of the anchor means from the gland.

10. A pipe joint comprising a bell internally flanged, a pipe extending into said hell,

. jections radially to the gland and are being drawn up to engage their projections with the bell flange.

11. A pipe joint comprising an internally flanged bell, a pipe extending into the bell, a gland, bolts carried by the gland and having lateral projections, said bolts being turnable in one direction on the gland to position their. lateral projections substantially tangential to and for insertion into the bell as a unit with the gland, and stop means on the gland for arresting the projections in radial position when the bolts are turned in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

12. A pipe joint according to claim 11 having means for holding the bolt against ro t-ary movement in either direction when 'drawn up to position with its lateral projection against the bell flange.

13. A pipe joint comprising a bell internally flanged, a pipe extending into said bell, a gland between said pipe and bell, bolts having lateral projections at their inner ends to engage beneath the flange internally of the bell, said bolts being slidably and rotatably mounted on the gland and adapted to be positioned with the lateral projections substantially tangential to the gland for insertion of the gland and bolts into the hell.

1%. A pipe joint comprising a bell having an inwardly extending flange, an abutting pipe in the bell, a gland within the bell, bolts having lateral projections, said bolts being mounted on the gland for axial and rotary movement, and means for limiting the rotary movement of the bolts in both directions to locate the lateral projections thereof in either tangential or radial position relative to the gland.

15. A pipe joint according to claim 13 in which a part of the gland limits the rotary movement of the bolt to determine its subst antially tangential position relative thereto.

16. A pipe joint according to claim 13 in which parts on the gland limit the rotary movement of the bolt to determine the tangential and also a substantially radial position of the lateral projection relative to the gland.

17. A pipe joint according to claim 13 in which a nut on the outer end of the bolt draws the same axially and in which the rotary movement of the bolt is limited to position said lateral projection substantially radial to the gland while the nut is being turned, said bolt having means at its outer end by which it may be turned.

18. A pipe joint according to claim 13 in which the'bolt has a limited rotary movement on the gland to position the lateral projection either substantially radial to the gland or substantially tangential thereto, a nut for moving the bolt axially and a lock by which the bolt is prevented from having axial movement while its projection is tangential to the gland and is prevented from having rotary movement while it is being drawn axially with its projection positioned radially of the gland.

19. A pipe coupling according to claim 13 in which the rotary bolts are also adapted to be positioned with the lateral projections radial to the gland, the said rotary move ment being limited to an are extending between said tangential and radial positions.

In testilr ony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANK MOS. THOMAS. 

